As summer approaches, animal welfare groups and shelters based in the UAE are already struggling to cope. Well before many residents head out of the country to beat the summer heat, most, if not all of the welfare groups and shelters are already posting ‘Sorry, we are full’ notices on their Facebook pages.

Emma Creswell, shelter manager for the Sharjah Cat and Dog Shelter (SCADS) says that there are an average of 14 animals abandoned every day.

She said: “In recent years, the summer months show an increase in that number, with 20 or more animals being left at the shelter daily. As a result, SCADS is overloaded.”

And they are not alone.

A few days ago, K9 Friends announced on their Facebook page that this is the worst summer on record for pet abandonment.

They wrote: “What a sad and disheartening day at K9 Friends. We received 30 phone calls, out of which 23 were from people wanting to give up their dogs or having found abandoned dogs. We are sorry not to be of more help but we are full and can take no more for the foreseeable future. Our wait list now stands at over 90 dogs. This is potentially our worst summer on record for abandonment. Be aware if you call us about your own dog we cannot take them at all and you must find an alternative for your pet, preferably one that involves hanging on to them.”

Mel Stones, founder of Animal Action Abu Dhabi, is feeling the same. There are too many animals, more than the centre’s capacity, and they are feeling the pressure of the months to come.

Stones said: “I think the worst time of the year has already started. At least in May some people were still adopting. In the peak of summer they stop. Those leaving the country were trying to re-home their own pets, as they had to get ready to move in the summer.”

Lesley Muncey, chairwoman of Feline Friends Dubai, explained that they are at their current capacity of 100 cats, and with limited adoptions coming through they are not taking on any more cases.

She said: “We receive many calls for help on a daily basis. However, with limited adoptions, all we can do is offer advice.”

Jackie Covill, founder of Sandy Paws, says this month alone she has had 30 calls for help in re-homing family pets.

She explained: “We rely on foster homes to take in more animals, and with many of our foster carers leaving for the summer, we just can’t cope.”

Kay, Founder of 38Smiles welfare group, explained that it is not about transferring responsibility.

She said: “People should be willing to go the extra mile instead of expecting to transfer the responsibility to a rescue group. Rescue groups are full most of the times simply because the population of stray animals in this region is enormous and growing by the day.”

If you are thinking about giving up your family pet, please reconsider. Please keep your pet. If you’re leaving the country or your lifestyle has changed, try everything in your power to keep the pet you committed to. Whether that is training, getting outside help or researching pet relocation, we beg you to try.

If you still can’t keep your pet and have exhausted all of your options, opening the door and pushing your pet out is not the right thing to do. Pick up the phone and call, email and contact everyone you know. You at least owe your pet that. Remember your dog or cat is a member of the family and a life-long commitment. Do the right thing and be loyal to him or her as they are to you.

Can you help one of the many welfare groups or shelters across the country with a foster home or help pay a vet bill? Please visit www.adopt-me.ae and find contact details for all of the welfare groups/shelters across the country.

 

The reader is the founder of adopt-me.ae and is based in Dubai.

 

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